H. Jose to Brig. Gen. Shepley on Portland business, 1863

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Description

Horatio Jose, a businessman in Portland, wrote to his friend Brig. Gen. George F. Shepley, military governor of Louisiana, following up on a previous letter in which Jose tried to interest Shepley in the planned National Bank in Portland.

Jose wrote that "Mr. Brown," referring to sugar magnate John Bundy Brown, wanted Shepley as head of the bank. Jose noted that Brown had sufficient funds to "take all the stock" if necessary, but wanted "able men" to join him in managing the bank.

Jose had served as quartermaster in the 12th Maine Regiment when it was formed in 1861. Shepley, who was a lawyer in Portland before the war, was commander of the regiment.